Latest news with #RPS
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Environment Canterbury's Chair Rebuffs Government's Directive To Stop Planning
Councils have been urged "not to stop the planning" despite the government saying plan changes are a waste of ratepayers' money. Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairperson Craig Pauling said the work of local government still needs to continue. ''At ECan we've already been impacted by stops to planning and I am personally disappointed some good things in our Regional Policy Statement, which would have made a difference, can't happen.'' The policy statements provide an overview of resource management issues in a region. Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Minister Chris Bishop this week announced the government would halt changes to district and regional plans. It comes ahead of a shake-up of the RMA, which is expected to come into effect in 2027. Pauling made his comments during a panel discussion at the Local Government NZ conference on Thursday, July 17. ''I would encourage you not to stop the planning. Don't stop thinking. You've got to do the analysis. ''Keep the thinking going, so when things do land you are in the best position.'' ECan voted in November to put its RPS on hold until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. It has been unable to adopt a plan change to fix issues in the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, following a Supreme Court decision on a water bottling plant in Christchurch in 2023. The future makeup of councils There has been speculation the RMA reform could lead to regional councils being scrapped, but both Bishop and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said no decision had been made. Bishop, who met with regional council chairs during the conference, indicated an announcement was likely by the end of the year. Pauling said it made sense to consider the shape of local government alongside the RMA reform, as regional councils came into being in 1989, in anticipation of the RMA, which was enacted in 1991. He admitted there were flaws with the present model, as local and regional councils didn't always work together. ''My personal view is separating land-use between city and regional councils was wrong. We've had so many occasions when land-use has been consented non-notified and then it needs water table allocations (from the regional council).'' LGNZ passed a remit at its annual general meeting calling for a review of local government functions and governance arrangements. Its chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said local government needed to be proactive and lead the changes required. Under existing legislation there are only two alternatives for regional government - regional councils and unitary authorities. Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting, Pauling said more options were needed, as different regions had different challenges. Canterbury is much larger than other regions, has more braided rivers and catchments, a centrally located population and sparsely populated districts such as Kaikōura, Hurunui, Mackenzie and Waimate. ''We need to be having the conversation and asking the questions. Would Kaikōura and Waimate survive as unitary authorities?'' Splitting the region into three - North, Mid and South Canterbury has been mooted - but Pauling thinks it would be ''problematic''. South Canterbury would likely be the largest unitary authority in the country in terms of geography, but with a population of only 60,000. The Hurunui district alone is the same size as Taranaki and half the size of Auckland, but with a much smaller population. A Christchurch or Greater Christchurch unitary authority has also been mooted, but questions have been raised about whether the rest of Canterbury would have a sufficient ratepayer base to manage regional council functions. Pauling said he believed it would be ''unworkable''. Another option, which ECan councillors considered at a recent workshop, was a Canterbury or South Island Assembly. This was based on the Greater Manchester model, where the existing local councils could continue and the mayors or council representatives and Mana Whenua representatives could form an assembly to make regional decisions. Whatever is decided, Pauling said local communities need to be involved in the decision making ''or it wouldn't fly''.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
ECan chair rebuffs Government's directive to stop planning
Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling (second left) takes part in a panel discussion during the Local Government NZ conference. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News Councils have been urged "not to stop the planning" despite the government saying plan changes are a waste of ratepayers' money. Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairperson Craig Pauling said the work of local government still needs to continue. ''At ECan we've already been impacted by stops to planning and I am personally disappointed some good things in our Regional Policy Statement, which would have made a difference, can't happen.'' The policy statements provide an overview of resource management issues in a region. Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Minister Chris Bishop this week announced the government would halt changes to district and regional plans. It comes ahead of a shake-up of the RMA, which is expected to come into effect in 2027. Pauling made his comments during a panel discussion at the Local Government NZ conference on Thursday, July 17. ''I would encourage you not to stop the planning. Don't stop thinking. You've got to do the analysis. ''Keep the thinking going, so when things do land you are in the best position.'' ECan voted in November to put its RPS on hold until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. It has been unable to adopt a plan change to fix issues in the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, following a Supreme Court decision on a water bottling plant in Christchurch in 2023. There has been speculation the RMA reform could lead to regional councils being scrapped, but both Bishop and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said no decision had been made. Bishop, who met with regional council chairs during the conference, indicated an announcement was likely by the end of the year. Pauling said it made sense to consider the shape of local government alongside the RMA reform, as regional councils came into being in 1989, in anticipation of the RMA, which was enacted in 1991. He admitted there were flaws with the present model, as local and regional councils didn't always work together. ''My personal view is separating land-use between city and regional councils was wrong. We've had so many occasions when land-use has been consented non-notified and then it needs water table allocations (from the regional council).'' LGNZ passed a remit at its annual general meeting calling for a review of local government functions and governance arrangements. Its chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said local government needed to be proactive and lead the changes required. Under existing legislation there are only two alternatives for regional government - regional councils and unitary authorities. Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting, Pauling said more options were needed, as different regions had different challenges. Canterbury is much larger than other regions, has more braided rivers and catchments, a centrally located population and sparsely populated districts such as Kaikōura, Hurunui, Mackenzie and Waimate. ''We need to be having the conversation and asking the questions. Would Kaikōura and Waimate survive as unitary authorities?'' Splitting the region into three - North, Mid and South Canterbury has been mooted - but Pauling thinks it would be ''problematic''. South Canterbury would likely be the largest unitary authority in the country in terms of geography, but with a population of only 60,000. The Hurunui district alone is the same size as Taranaki and half the size of Auckland, but with a much smaller population. A Christchurch or Greater Christchurch unitary authority has also been mooted, but questions have been raised about whether the rest of Canterbury would have a sufficient ratepayer base to manage regional council functions. Pauling said he believed it would be ''unworkable''. Another option, which ECan councillors considered at a recent workshop, was a Canterbury or South Island Assembly. This was based on the Greater Manchester model, where the existing local councils could continue and the mayors or council representatives and Mana Whenua representatives could form an assembly to make regional decisions. Whatever is decided, Pauling said local communities need to be involved in the decision making ''or it wouldn't fly''. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
India Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
SL vs BAN: Mahedi Hasan breaks Harbhajan Singh's 13-year-old record in Colombo T20I
Bangladesh spinner Mahedi Hasan scripted history after recording the best bowling figures by a visiting bowler in T20Is at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The tweaker achieved the feat in the third and final T20I of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, July figures of 4-1-11-4, Mahedi went past former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh's record of 4-2-12-4 against England in the Men's T20 World Cup in 2012. Wanindu Hasaranga holds the overall record for best figures at the RPS in Colombo with figures of 4-0-9-4 against India back in Lanka vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I UpdatesBest figures by a visiting bowler in T20Is in Colombo Mahedi Hasan (Bangladesh): 4-1-11-4 against Sri Lanka, July 2025Harbhajan Singh (India): 4-2-12-4 against England, September 2012Josh Hazlewood (Australia): 4-0-16-4 against Sri Lanka, June 2022Joe Denly (England): 4-0-19-4 against Sri Lanka, October 2018Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): 3-0-21-4 against Sri Lanka, April 2017Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India): 3.3-0-22-4 against Sri Lanka, July 2021Shardul Thakur (India): 4-0-27-4 against Sri Lanka, March 2018Mahedi Hasan rattles Sri LankaMahedi, who replaced Mehidy Hasan Miraz, in the playing XI, began making inroads right from the word go. In his first over, he got the wicket of Kusal Perera, who's capable of doing damage with the bat. Then in the fifth over, Mahedi dismissed the dangerous Dinesh Chandimal, after which he accounted for the wicket of Charith Asalanka in his last brilliant bowling helped Bangladesh restrict Sri Lanka to 40 for three in the powerplay. He also became only the fifth Bangladeshi bowler to take 50 or more wickets in Men's others are Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam. Mahedi has also played 10 ODIs for the Tigers, where he has taken 14 wickets at an economy rate of 4.95.- EndsMust Watch
CTV News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Sections of Arcola Ave, University Park Drive to Ring Road closed after crash
Regina Police Service (RPS) are asking drivers to avoid the westbound traffic lanes between Arcola Ave. and University Park Drive as officers investigate a vehicle accident. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Regina Police Service (RPS) are asking drivers to avoid the Arcola Avenue and University Park Drive westbound lanes to Ring Road as an investigation continues. Early Tuesday evening, police responded to a single vehicle collision in the area. Officers were present at the scene - while a motorcycle was also spotted in the area. Regina Fire and Protective Services and EMS were also on site. RPS says more details will be provided as they become available.
The Star
7 days ago
- General
- The Star
Orang Asli make beeline for sale in Sungai Siput
The Madani Rahmah sale offers household goods and fresh produce at a discount. THE Orang Asli community has a chance to stock up on essential goods at affordable prices during a 'Madani Rahmah Sale Programme' (PJRM) held at the Orang Asli One-Stop Centre (OAOSC) in Sungai Siput, Perak. Despite the distance, Long Busu, 56, a rubber tapper from Legap regroupment scheme (RPS), said he drove nearly an hour to the centre to buy household items at reduced prices. The Madani Rahmah Sale Programme at the Orang Asli One-Stop Centre in Sungai Siput also fosters community bonding. — Photos: Bernama Ali (centre) with his wife Abong Angah (right) buying fish at the Orang Asli One-Stop Centre in Sungai Siput. Describing it as a highly beneficial government initiative for the low-income group, the father-of-six and grandfather-of-10 said the programme organised by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) had significantly helped Orang Asli households, particularly those in remote areas. 'It is quite a long journey to get here but I came because the essential items are sold at low prices. 'I bought rice, chicken and cooking oil, which are cheaper here than at the supermarkets,' Long Busu told Bernama. Long with a trolley-full of essential goods he bought at the Madani Rahmah sale. Ali Busu, from Kampung Bawong, said the programme brought relief to the Orang Asli community in Bawong and Legap RPS as it saved them an even longer journey to Sungai Siput to buy daily necessities. The 53-year-old said the initiative offered quality goods at reasonable prices. 'Despite the lower prices, the goods are good and fresh. 'There's no difference between the chicken, meat or dry goods sold here and those at the big markets. 'I also save on grocery expenses and that extra money can be saved or used for other things,' said the rubber tapper who has four children. Zalinah Zabidi, 28, hopes that the programme will be expanded to other areas in the Orang Asli settlements of Bawong and Legap RPS. 'Some other residents knew about the sale but they didn't have transport, so they couldn't come. 'If possible, this sale should be brought from village to village so more people can benefit,' she said. Zalinah, a general worker at SMK Bawong, said the programme was helpful as it not only reduced household expenses but also fostered community bonding. 'When there is a sale like this, it's not just about buying things, as we also get a chance to meet villagers from other areas, gather, chat and share problems,' she said. She suggested that the programme should also include health screenings or other services such as aid registration.
